We, the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, having assembled together for the Council of Bishops on the eve of the Ecclesiastical New Year in the Synodal Residence in the God-protected city of New York, in the presence of our Protectress and guide, the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, greet you with the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Chris: "Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world!" (John 16.33).

On Tuesday the 20th and Sunday the 21st of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, divine services were officiated in the churches and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese by hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad, who arrived for the work of the Council of Bishop a week prior.

On Sunday, September 18, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, represented His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, at the celebration of Divine Liturgy and the enthronement of His Eminence Nicholas Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, newly elected First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

On Tuesday the 20th and Wednesday the 21st of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, festal divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

His Holiness Porfirije, Patriarch of Serbia, congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York on his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

His Eminence Alexander, Metropolitan of Riga & All Latvia, congratulated His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, on his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia:

On September 18, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost and the day when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist, the enthronement of Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia took place in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York on his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

The Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, has sent a letter of congratulations to the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, on his election by the Council of Bishops of ROCOR and confirmation by His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia.

On Saturday, September 17, at the All-Night Vigil in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan ‒ elected First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad on Tuesday, September 13 ‒ was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.